oceanic club? what's it?

VANDOO · 9th May 2010, 07:11 PM

MOST FIJI CLUBS WERE DESIGNED AS CRUSHERS AND BONE BREAKERS AND MOST WOULD CRACK A SKULL WITH ONE GOOD SOLID HIT. THOUGH YOUR SPECIMIN WOULD CERTIANLY RAISE A GOOD KNOT ON A SKULL AND PERHAPS CAUSE A KNOCK- OUT, IT DOSEN'T APPEAR TO HAVE THE MASS OR EDGE TO DELIVER A CRUSHING BLOW.
THE BLUNT END DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECENT CUT OFF FOR TRANSPORT IN A SUITCASE AND DOES APPEAR TO SHOW SOME WEAR POSSIBLY FROM USE. IT IS LIKELY IF A SPEAR WAS BROKEN OFF IT MAY HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR USE AS A LIGHT CLUB/SPEAR TYPE OF WEAPON RATHER THAN DISCARDED. THE CURIOUS THING ABOUT THIS IS IF I WAS GOING TO USE THIS AS A SHORT WEAPON I WOULD HAVE PUT A POINT ON BOTH ENDS. IT WOULD SEEM THE LOGICAL THING TO DO IF I WAS A WARRIOR.

THE CARVEING ON THE SPEAR HEAD END NARROWS IT DOWN TO OCEANIC FOR ME

BUT WAS USED IN SO MANY AREAS IT WILL REGUIRE MORE KNOWLEGE OR BETTER REFRENCES THAN I POSESS TO PIN IT DOWN EXACTLY.

Tim Simmons · 9th May 2010, 07:26 PM

All valid opinions thank you. I just thought I would come up with some links to make us familiar with the objects that are suggested as the origin. My piece is 52 inches long. Compare with these pole clubs.

http://faganarms.com/18thcentury-pre...clubbowai.aspx

http://www.cinoa.org/exhibits/62410

Lets not forget what a true wood spear looks like?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lanesian+spear

Tim Simmons · 9th May 2010, 08:26 PM

Lets face it how hard a hit on the head do you need before you decide you cannot play any more. If a club is too heavy you cannot engage in fast combat. I will suggest less than that needed to fracture your skull. Pushing a hole in your skull with the blunt spear end might be a lot easier once the opponent has been rendered somewhat dizzy. Ouch

Tim Simmons · 10th May 2010, 05:40 PM

I think this comparison to a heavy red oak bokken is interesting. Martial "Arts" fans will see that the techniques must be broadly similar except we do not know of any Fijian schools or baggage as in Japan. The Melanesian clubs have the spike which also makes the action staff like rather than just sword base. The Solomon island club is perhaps slower being a little top heavy, a bit like swinging a wood axe if held with hands near the spike end.

fearn · 10th May 2010, 09:48 PM

I still don't think it's Fijian. It's probably from further west.

Tim Simmons · 11th May 2010, 06:49 AM

I agree.

Gavin Nugent · 16th May 2010, 05:47 AM

Tim,

Based on the image alone found on page 117 of Steven Hoopers Pacific encounters, this appears to be of possible Hawaiian Islands origins.

Gav

9th May 2010, 07:26 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	All valid opinions thank you. I just thought I would come up with some links to make us familiar with the objects that are suggested as the origin. My piece is 52 inches long. Compare with these pole clubs. http://faganarms.com/18thcentury-pre...clubbowai.aspx http://www.cinoa.org/exhibits/62410 Lets not forget what a true wood spear looks like? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...lanesian+spear Last edited by Tim Simmons; 9th May 2010 at 07:45 PM.

10th May 2010, 05:40 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I think this comparison to a heavy red oak bokken is interesting. Martial "Arts" fans will see that the techniques must be broadly similar except we do not know of any Fijian schools or baggage as in Japan. The Melanesian clubs have the spike which also makes the action staff like rather than just sword base. The Solomon island club is perhaps slower being a little top heavy, a bit like swinging a wood axe if held with hands near the spike end. Attached Images

16th May 2010, 05:47 AM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Spear Tim, Based on the image alone found on page 117 of Steven Hoopers Pacific encounters, this appears to be of possible Hawaiian Islands origins. Gav

9th May 2010, 07:11 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	MOST FIJI CLUBS WERE DESIGNED AS CRUSHERS AND BONE BREAKERS AND MOST WOULD CRACK A SKULL WITH ONE GOOD SOLID HIT. THOUGH YOUR SPECIMIN WOULD CERTIANLY RAISE A GOOD KNOT ON A SKULL AND PERHAPS CAUSE A KNOCK- OUT, IT DOSEN'T APPEAR TO HAVE THE MASS OR EDGE TO DELIVER A CRUSHING BLOW. THE BLUNT END DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECENT CUT OFF FOR TRANSPORT IN A SUITCASE AND DOES APPEAR TO SHOW SOME WEAR POSSIBLY FROM USE. IT IS LIKELY IF A SPEAR WAS BROKEN OFF IT MAY HAVE BEEN MODIFIED FOR USE AS A LIGHT CLUB/SPEAR TYPE OF WEAPON RATHER THAN DISCARDED. THE CURIOUS THING ABOUT THIS IS IF I WAS GOING TO USE THIS AS A SHORT WEAPON I WOULD HAVE PUT A POINT ON BOTH ENDS. IT WOULD SEEM THE LOGICAL THING TO DO IF I WAS A WARRIOR. THE CARVEING ON THE SPEAR HEAD END NARROWS IT DOWN TO OCEANIC FOR ME BUT WAS USED IN SO MANY AREAS IT WILL REGUIRE MORE KNOWLEGE OR BETTER REFRENCES THAN I POSESS TO PIN IT DOWN EXACTLY.

9th May 2010, 08:26 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Lets face it how hard a hit on the head do you need before you decide you cannot play any more. If a club is too heavy you cannot engage in fast combat. I will suggest less than that needed to fracture your skull. Pushing a hole in your skull with the blunt spear end might be a lot easier once the opponent has been rendered somewhat dizzy. Ouch

10th May 2010, 09:48 PM	#5
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I still don't think it's Fijian. It's probably from further west.

11th May 2010, 06:49 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I agree.